Bending Over vs. Bending Knees

[Island Drive]

Is there anything to be said about the two based on stability? Back pain comes after playing for a while; bending knees helps. Comfort is the most important thing, but is there a trade-off?

Whichever works, I think Rempe had the spread eagle with both legs straight, but most players either bend both knees or lock the back leg and bend the front. As far as pain, all players at all levels will develop back pain or just plain wearing out eventually. If you do have a stance that is comfortable and your weight is displaced properly, maybe you need to door some body strengthening. All players have lost matches and tournaments because of lack of conditioning. When Mika won the US Open from the losers bracket, that was a testament to his conditioning, I highly doubt he could of won without.

 

[jrhendy]

Whichever works, I think Rempe had the spread eagle with both legs straight, but most players either bend both knees or lock the back leg and bend the front.

A lot of players mimicked Rempe's stance.

When I first watched Jimmy Wetch play it was at one of the Reno tournaments. I was sitting with Hal Mix and he told me Jimmy was asking him to analyze his game/mechanics. I already knew Hal hated that stance because we had talked about it while watching Cole Dickson play one time.

Jimmy just got through drilling Santos Sambujon and came over to ask Hal what he thought. Hal said "I don't like your stance". Jimmy asked why. Then Hal said "Well its OK if you are trying to take a leak and not splatter on your shoes, but no good for pool".

Rempe, Jimmy and quite a few others have done pretty well with it LOL.

 

[Island Drive]

A lot of players mimicked Rempe's stance.

When I first watched Jimmy Wetch play it was at one of the Reno tournaments. I was sitting with Hal Mix and he told me Jimmy was asking him to analyze his game/mechanics. I already knew Hal hated that stance because we had talked about it while watching Cole Dickson play one time.

Jimmy just got through drilling Santos Sambujon and came over to ask Hal what he thought. Hal said "I don't like your stance". Jimmy asked why. Then Hal said "Well its OK if you are trying to take a leak and not splatter on your shoes, but no good for pool".

Rempe, Jimmy and quite a few others have done pretty well with it LOL.

LMOA :thumbup: Nice....

 

[RRfireblade]

When I wrote "you aren't moving when you throw a punch" I meant taking a step. If you try to throw a punch with straight legs you have no power because you will be off balance. Twisting from the hips, or torquing into the punch is understood. I'll just leave it at we have to agree to disagree and call it a day.

Well its not really an agree or disagree issue. The fact is there's simply no correlation between a boxers legs during a punch and a pool players legs during a stroke. Non at all unfortunately. You can shoot pool sitting on a stool,in fact that would actually improve the stroke of many . Try throwing a punch sitting on a stool and then let me know how that works out for you.

 

[vagabond]

A lot of players mimicked Rempe's stance.

When I first watched Jimmy Wetch play it was at one of the Reno tournaments. I was sitting with Hal Mix and he told me Jimmy was asking him to analyze his game/mechanics. I already knew Hal hated that stance

QUOTE]

One time Hal Mix invited himself to make a comment on my stance. I told him something, which in essence meant- ' get lost '.

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

Bending

Is there anything to be said about the two based on stability? Back pain comes after playing for a while; bending knees helps. Comfort is the most important thing, but is there a trade-off?

If you get sore playing pool you are doing something wrong. Pool players are some of the greatest athletes in the world. Just trying to be positive. Seriously everyone should stretch some before and even during play. I am a stand up shooter and it has always worked for me. I do get down on some shots, but I really don't think about how my body gets positioned. Ever notice older players being stand up shooters? They have been slowly rising up all their lives. I have always maintained I get a different picture of my shots from this different angle. I never measured but I am probably half way from down to totally up. That is still considered stand up shooting to me, and of course people have always told me I'm a stand up shooter. Whatever works for you. Look at Keith Mccreadys stance! Unorthodox to say the least, and he was one of the greatest players ever. If you are a young man let's have this same talk in forty years and see if your stance is rising up a little! Maybe not, I'll be 104 years old!

 

[Ratta]

nrhoades,

the problem with the stance is always a big discussion point. How someone already shown up, it also depends on your height, size, weight etc. - and then we re also have to talk about healthy issues. Many players have to change something in their pool-life, caused by healthy issues, eyes gettin a bit more words. backpain, knees.
So don t panic now-this problems is really not unique one. But there s also no common way to solve that problem. There are several ways to show one person to align perfectly-but this takes a little time and should really be done with a knowledged person. Especially it s important to tell the *helping person* (in best case a really really experienced good instructor) on what points you re limited etc.

I am sure, that if you contact an instructor, he can help your if you tell him exactly what you wanna reach-and what forces pain to you. To make sport helps you a ton in pool also. Not many re doing this. but it helps amazingly. Just bad if you re not able to really do sport anymore, lol ^^


There are about 3-4 ways i prefer to show and teach if it s about stance and alignment. But over the internet it s usualy not serious. It can be done for sure, but it s hard because several "before and after " videos would have be to set up. with lots of discussions between .....-- think you see what i mean .

call up a great instructor, and i m sure he can help you.

lg
Ingo

 

[Scott Lee]

One of the first things players mess with, when they're not playing well, is their stance. There is no one "right" stance for everyone. Your stance should be balanced, comfortable, a tripod (with not too much weight on your bridge hand), with little or no movement, and free movement of your cue, along your range of motion. Bent knees or straight legs do not matter...it's a comfort and balance thing. Aside from those things, it is not vital that you stand a certain way. There are several "classic" stances, and thousands more that are 'anti-traditional'. You cannot play well when you hurt. Standing any way that makes you hurt is an incorrect way to stand. Keep it simple...

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[Rod]

Seriously everyone should stretch some before and even during play.

Ever notice older players being stand up shooters? They have been slowly rising up all their lives.

I have been a stand up shooter all my life, I like the overhead view. Now in later years I find myself bending down more on some shots. I am definitely a stand up shooter even if I do get lower. You are right thought many older players start standing more upright.

I agree with stretching, most pool players are lazy!:grin: I think it is absolutely a must to stretch your ham strings to help avoid lower back pain and add flexability. Whether you bend your legs or not it is a very good if not a must exercise for your lower back.

Most won't do it because they are lazy. Some think they won't see the benefits. If your lower back hurts after playing pool you need to do this simple exercise.

I have read lots of posts about lower back pain. I think the problem should be addressed. You can always ask your doctor first but in many cases this is the fix.

I lay down on the floor. I hold a towel in both hands. I put one foot in the towel and raise one leg at a time up to or past my head. The other leg is tucked with my knee flexed. I keep the leg I pull up straight with no knee flex. It really pulls and stretches your ham string. Go easy at first, do not get carried away. Alternate legs after about 30 seconds. Do each leg three times. It takes about 5 minutes and that is it. If you do that every day or at least 3 to 4 times a week in most cases minor lower back pain will go away. Another thing this does is it gives your arms and upper back a small work out. Do not quit after the first time or two should you feel some discomfort. In a weeks time it will make a difference. There are of course other ways to do this but I found this to be a very simple routine.

Now to add to my lengthy post. I play with my legs locked. I always have except for when I had lower back surgery over ten years ago. I got in a bad habit of using the table as a brace. Unknowingly at the time I was crowding the cue. Meaning leaning to far forward. It developed from favoring my left leg. I realized this was a problem and my bent leg caused instability. Now I am back to being stable with straight legs with my weight balanced or slightly to the rear. It works for me but I see no harm keeping your knees bent if you are stable.

Stretch your ham strings!!!!

Rod

 

[Donny Lutz]

I've been playing for 56+ years and have sometimes serious back problems. I'm surprised that none of the comments have mentioned exercise! A little yoga and tai chai can do wonders, and even 20 seconds of stretching before, between and after matches helps a lot as well.

 

[krupa]

For what it's worth, I am a long-time back-pain sufferer (compressed discs mostly). To fix my back, I've been doing this thing called Alexander Technique. I can't explain it well but after years of unsuccessful physical therapy it's the one thing that has worked for me.

Now that I've gotten back into pool, I've worked with my AT teacher on movements/stances that get me solidly down on a shot without pain or discomfort. Roughly speaking, I keep my back leg straight (not locked, though) and my forward leg bent, then bend at the waist. If done correctly, you can get to any height without a problem. Reading this over, it sounds a lot like what I've read and seen in DVDs but it really isn't. (One thing I noticed while practicing this morning is that my back leg is farther from the table than it used to be.)

After years of dismissing it, I'm a convert and tell anyone who suffers from back pain to give AT a try.

 

[Island Drive]

For what it's worth, I am a long-time back-pain sufferer (compressed discs mostly). To fix my back, I've been doing this thing called Alexander Technique. I can't explain it well but after years of unsuccessful physical therapy it's the one thing that has worked for me.

Now that I've gotten back into pool, I've worked with my AT teacher on movements/stances that get me solidly down on a shot without pain or discomfort. Roughly speaking, I keep my back leg straight (not locked, though) and my forward leg bent, then bend at the waist. If done correctly, you can get to any height without a problem. Reading this over, it sounds a lot like what I've read and seen in DVDs but it really isn't. (One thing I noticed while practicing this morning is that my back leg is farther from the table than it used to be.)

After years of dismissing it, I'm a convert and tell anyone who suffers from back pain to give AT a try.

Thx, I passed this on to my daughter, pars fracture..........

 

[daniel]

one point to mention is that the snooker tables are considerably higher than the average pool table. I remember reading that when the height of pool tables was established it was targeted at people 5 foot four inches in height. I think it's time to upgrade this since people are much taller nowadays. Imagine a table even 6" higher & notice the ease for a 6 footer getting down on the shot.

 

[Island Drive]

one point to mention is that the snooker tables are considerably higher than the average pool table. I remember reading that when the height of pool tables was established it was targeted at people 5 foot four inches in height. I think it's time to upgrade this since people are much taller nowadays. Imagine a table even 6" higher & notice the ease for a 6 footer getting down on the shot.

Sounds simple, But how are your going to tell all the table mfg in the World to Retool their factories. I'm 6'6'' and I don't mind it at all.

 

[Jimbojim]

Well, for me to be comfortable and align properly my back leg has to be straight, my front leg bent and my butt sticking out a little bit. This way my body isn't in the way of my stroke and I can sight better. Geno gave me tips to align myself properly being cross eyed dominant. (right handed player and left eye dominant.